Tobacco Documents Online

[VdC] Position Paper (Outline)

Abstract

States VdC [Verband der Deutschen Ziagarettenindustrie] board decided to sponsor research with emphasis on nicotine uptake and health effects studies, anticipating that if studies find: (a) smokers adjust "nicotine uptake to their requirements" and (b) nicotine is harmless, "this will offer an opportunity for the manufacture of cigarettes with sufficient nicotine content and lowest possible condensate and gas phase". Notes nicotine is considered "harmful substance" in Germany. Indicates R.J. Reynolds raised "substantial objections" to policy and failed in attempt to marshal support within VdC to defeat the policy. Affirms commitment to policy with controls over research results and dissemination, including attributing publications to non-industry scientists "so that no doubts can be raised". Comprises legible handwritten document with left side of page missing (see "Document Quotes" field for complete transcript).

Fields

Quotes

Complete transcript:

"Sent by Ed Jacob, from Alex Holtzman, Nov[ember] 13, 1978

Position paper (outline).

The board of the VdC (Association of the Cigarette Industry) [Verband der Deutschen Ziagarettenindustrie] is of the opinion that the industry in Germany is no longer in a position to leave research on smoking and health to the opponents of the industry and engage itself more or less in anti-research activities. The board tries to justify its responsibility in regard to the consumer by its effort to obtain information and knowledge through research which will be needed by the member companies for the manufacture of products in the future. The board believes, that by taking the initiative on research, the interests of the industry and the consumers are better served than by simple reactions to any accusations coming from outside.

The board of the VdC has decided to give priority to nicotine research in its farming out of research projects. The research planning of the board operates on the premise on this case that it is possible that research may produce medical viewpoints, in addition to industrial and political viewpoints, which indicate on the direction of no further lowering of the amount of nicotine in cigarettes. If research should that many smokers adjust the nicotine uptake to their requirements and that the nicotine dose taken up in smoking is harmless, then this will offer an opportunity for the manufacture of cigarettes with sufficient nicotine content and lowest possible condensate and gas phase. It seems meaningful to test this hypothesis scientifically, although the consequences of such a test cannot be foreseen. The hypothesis can be tested by answering the following questions: (1) Is the nicotine uptake, as often asserted, controlled by the smoker? If so, what portion of the smoking population controls the nicotine uptake? (2) What is the significance of nicotine in the development of chronic illnesses allegedly related to smoking? Is nicotine under considering the dose taken up on smoking a harmful substance to health as it is asserted in Germany? As far as the conductance of the individual research projects is concerned, the project will be sent at the beginning to the member companies of the VdC so that they can make their position clear and any changes can be considered later. The research results will only be available to the industry. The board of the VdC will reserve the right for the publication of results. Should any results be published, arrangements should be made to publish them by scientists outside the industry so that no doubts can be raised. The risk connected with this research, like in any research, is calculable under consideration of the available possibilities.

The research concept of the VdC was adopted after comprehensive discussion and after the member companies had ample time to make their position clear. Substantial objections were only submitted by the [R.J.] Reynolds company. The scientific adviser of Reynolds Company, Dr. Colby, who tried to recruit the support of many scientists of other companies for his viewpoint, rejected categorically the planned project for the following reasons:

[missing part of left side of page - scanning problem?] [?] of nicotine is senseless, since everything [?] known about the activity of nicotine. [?] [pl]anned studies cannot be conducted, since [?] no suitable animal models. [?] if it should be proven that the uptake of the [?] nicotine is controlled by the smoker and that [?] of nicotine taken up is harmless, it would [?] [e]ffect on product design, since nicotine and [?] can only be varied within a very limited

[?] the argumentation by Dr. Colby, who may like [?] product distant research to our position of [?] may be politically motivated to a large extent. [?] [appro]priate to present his reasons for rejection. [?] board of VdC could not accept: [?] ence to 1) This assertion is incorrect. Our know- [?] [abo]ut the effect of nicotine and its metabolites on [?] [meta]bolism, whether it is on respect to the liberation [?] or enzyme induction, is superficial, since [?] [suit?]able methods are still insufficient for the [?] of the individual activities of nicotine. The [?] concept of the VdC should clarify the question, [?] nicotine as a pure substance of from smoke has [?] to do with the development of coronary heart [?] the primary thought does not involve the study [?] [de?] pendency theory and the possibly related [?] effects of smoking. [?] [?]nce to 2) This assertion is valid for all research [?] [w]hich involved the translation of results affirmed in animal experiments to humans. However, the assertion touches upon a fundamental problem of research, yet it is of no importance to the research planning of VdC, since the alternative of stopping each research cannot be accepted.

To reference 3) The assertion is correct based on the existing technology. However, one can ask the question will it be valid in the future. The research of the VdC should only demonstrate the possibilities. Whether and how the information is used is the affair of the member companies.

The board of the VdC is aware that there can be other objections to the planned research. However, the board doubts that no suitable alternatives can be found. The situation of the industry in Germany, which can be judged best by the industry itself, is such that it can conduct research on smoking and health for the benefit of the industry. Of course, the board of VdC will avoid everything possible which may cause harm to the industry outside Germany on the realization of its ideas. Moreover, the board starts with the premise, that the industry must do everything possible to determine its own fate. The board has no doubt that this will require other substantial efforts in addition to research.

Translated 11/3/78"

Rank

1

Type

Draft material

Position paper

Author

Holtzman, Alexander (PM Asst General Counsel. 1975-85.)

Recipient

Jacob, Edwin J. (CTR Special Projects, key legal strategist)

Key legal strategist in many capacities, including Jacob, Medinger & Finnegan (CTR). Career stems from 1950's. CTR Special Projects.

Named Person

Colby, Dr.

Named Organization

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

Reynolds

VdC

Verband der Deutschen Ziagarettenindustrie

Region

Germany

United States

Subject

Cigarettes

epidemiology

Human subjects

industry response

industry sponsored research

International level

nicotine

Research studies

Tobacco industry scientists

tobacco industry structure

Additives